They Played the Game

“THEY PLAYED THE GAME”

HANHAM CRICKETERS’ MEMORIAL

A tablet was unveiled on Saturday in the pavilion at Christ Church Cricket Club, Hanham, to the memory of four members of the Club who lost their lives in the Great War.  The memorial, which is surmounted by illustrations of national flags and is enclosed in an oak frame, contains the photos of the four players, and is inscribed,

‘In grateful memory of Hanham Christ Church players Geo. T. Britton, Stanley F. Whitcombe, Gilbert Bailey, Frederick Cains.  They played the game, 1914-1919.’

Beneath the tablet is a smaller one headed with illuminated bats, ball and wickets, and the clubs motto, “Play the game” and inscribed on it is, “Surviving players and spectators are earnestly requested to continue to play the game.  To our respected opponents, the same.”

The company present included the President of the Club, Rev. C. W. Walker, who was supported by Messrs Arthur Painter (honorary secretary), Gilbert Payne (captain), P. Cook (vice-captain), T. Jenkins (treasurer), F. Smith (corresponding secretary).  The committee and members of Knowle XI playing Hanham that day.

Mr Arthur Painter said that the members who lost their lives during the war not only played the game of cricket, but they played it also for King and Country.  As Secretary to the club for 21 years he thanked those present and others for the support they had given the Club.  (Applause.)

Rev. C. W. Walker then recited the dedicatory prayers, and unveiled the memorial, and said that during the war time particularly, it seemed such an ordinary thing for a person to pass out of this life into the next world.  Many had been bereaved and had sorrowed, but at the back of it all there was a sense of pride that one of their kith and kin had given up his life for his country.  Every time they looked at that memorial, he hoped they would remember that these men had done their duty and had fallen nobly: at their country’s call, they had made a full sacrifice.  When they looked at the faces and read the names on the memorial, let it remind them to do their duty always to God and their country.  He hoped that the spirit of comradeship that they learnt in a club like theirs, would enable them to be more useful citizens and better men.

from the western Daily Press July 1922

Thanks to Mary for the research and Kay for the typing

Does anyone know what happen to this plaque?